Myths about root canal treatment: Having "root canal" takes a lot of visits.

The number of visits that will be required will vary case by case.

Accepted practices in regards to how many visits are required for root canal treatment have changed over the last few decades. Traditionally, endodontic therapy was broken down into two or more appointments. This attitude, however, has since changed. Based on the findings of dental research and the combined experiences of the dental community as a whole, a realization has taken hold that the nature of the individual case should dictate the treatment approach.

Some cases are ideal for single-visit treatment, such as those cases where a portion the tooth's nerve tissue is still alive ("vital"). Others types of cases, such as those where the entire length of the root canal system harbors bacteria (necrotic teeth, retreatment cases), may require more than one visit. While your dentist or endodontist will probably have an idea about the number of visits that will be needed, they may not be able to give you a definitive answer until after they have begun your tooth's treatment.

New developments in endodontic therapy have made single-visit treatment easier to accomplish.

Over the last few decades, new types of equipment and endodontic techniques have found their way to the dental marketplace. In many instances the use of these new methodologies significantly enhances the efficiency with which a dentist is able to perform treatment. This efficiency, in turn, has made the possibility of performing one-visit endodontic therapy, without the need of creating an extremely long dental appointment, a routine reality.

Other dental appointments will be needed.

The above discussion only applies to a tooth's root canal treatment itself. There will probably be some type of previously occurring appointment where your dentist diagnoses that your tooth does indeed need endodontic therapy. This may be an "emergency" visit scheduled at your request because you have noticed some pain or discomfort with your tooth. Or, possibly, your dentist will identify the tooth's need for treatment during one of your routine dental examinations.

After your root canal treatment has been completed, you will probably need to schedule one or more subsequent appointments dedicated toward making a permanent restoration for the "root canalled" tooth. If the final restoration is a filling, then most likely only one appointment will be needed. Placing of a dental crown (or else a post and core and dental crown) on a tooth typically involves two or more appointments.